Wilhelmina Woods

Northumberland Land Trust's 18th reserve, Wilhelmina Woods, was the site of today's two walks. I think the subtitle of this post should be Rhapsody in Yellow. Somewhere around 30 interested walkers chose between one hour and a two hour walks. They were led by the folks who donated these 314 acres to the Land Trust, Rob and Freda Kennedy.

With nearly 30 people, there was always someone who spotted something along the way that needed to be examined. Like this hairy woodpecker.

As the two hour people turned to the east, the one hour folks headed west. There they go!

Yesterday's rain was still lying around on maple leaves.

This property has many different ecosystems. There were some little meadows surrounded by an emerging forest.....

... and sandy areas where only deer moss covered the ground.

In some areas successions of trees were noted. The poplar trees establish themselves and the pines follow them. Good example below. There were lots of little pine trees in and about the poplar grove. These will later be replaced naturally by trees like maple and beech.

We were fortunate to have some folks in both groups who knew a lot about what we were seeing....

.... like that this is a wood frog.

There were many beautiful pine trees to be admired....

... and still a lot of red Maple leaves that had not yet faded.

The property has some ponds too. Can you imagine the good fortune for birds and animals in decades to come? "Yay! A pond! In the forest!"

We saw a lot of mushrooms on our walk, but the cutest were these tiny, tiny ones.

And, heading back to our cars, we walked through Rhapsody in Yellow again. The folks who donated the trust's 18th reserve are planning on staying involved in the care of this beautiful property. They will be the stewards of Wilhelmina's Woods.

This property will be open for anyone to walk through at any time. How wonderful!!!

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth

find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.

There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature --

the assurance that dawn comes after night,

and spring after winter.”

Rachel Carson, Silent Spring